Appeal Court Upholds Judgment Barring VIO from Stopping and Impounding Vehicles
In a
landmark decision delivered on December 4, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja
reaffirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court that significantly
curtails the powers of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS),
popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
The appellate court upheld the October 4, 2024 judgment which barred the agency from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.